The Command to Pamper the Husband - Chapter 187

Cui Liang’s relationships were quite simple. Besides a few fellow maids in the residence, she only had her family. She had no childhood sweetheart or secret lover.

The only people who could threaten Cui Liang were her family.

If someone used her family to threaten her into committing such shocking acts, even if she agreed, she wouldn’t be trying to leave the prince’s residence. The fact that she wanted to leave, and was hiding this from her parents, suggested that her parents were the ones threatening her.

Rather than Cui Liang being the culprit, it was more likely that her parents or siblings were.

As Zhao Jide and Song Jin spoke, Wang Liu returned with Fen Xiang, carrying a small bag filled with scattered silver coins.

“This is what Cui Liang saved up,” Fen Xiang said softly, her voice heavy with tears.

Song Jin glanced at the silver bag. “Leave it here, you may go now. Until the case is solved, you’ll have to endure a bit.”

Fen Xiang’s face turned pale with fear, and she looked at the Fourth Prince in terror.

Song Jin added, “We won’t take your life, but…”

Pausing, Song Jin continued, “Take her to the secret room, Wang Liu. Keep her there without letting any word get out.”

In Shen Yue’s courtyard, several secret rooms had been built to hide things from those monitoring him in the residence.

Wang Liu nodded and took Fen Xiang away. She tried to call for help but was knocked unconscious by a chop to the neck from Wang Liu.

Zhao Jide watched the swift move, his own hand twitching involuntarily as he mimicked the action.

He sighed inwardly. Once, he could easily knock out a hefty pig with a single strike. Now…

Seeing Zhao Jide’s expression, Song Jin frowned, “Minister Zhao?”

Zhao Jide snapped back to reality. “What are your orders, Your Highness?”

“Go to Cui Liang’s home immediately and arrest her parents and siblings. I will meet you at the magistrate’s office shortly.”

Zhao Jide bowed and left.

As soon as he left, Song Jin didn’t delay. After Wang Liu returned, she headed straight to the Crown Prince’s residence with him.

“Did you explain everything to her?” Song Jin asked Wang Liu on the way.

Wang Liu nodded, “Yes, she understood. She asked for some food and water and is staying quietly. She seems very frightened.”

Song Jin didn’t reply. Fen Xiang was indeed scared, but she was likely more worried about her future without Cui Liang to help her maintain her position with Consort Zhen.

At the Crown Prince’s residence, the servants must have received instructions, as they welcomed Song Jin in without hesitation.

The steward then appeared and said, “His Highness is in the study. Please follow me, Fourth Prince.”

The Crown Prince’s study was luxuriously decorated, with shelves filled with colorful books. Titles like “The Cunning Princess,” “The Path of the King,” “The Heavenly Study,” “Dragon Legend,” “The Prince’s Role,” and “Ghost Fear” filled the room.

From female-centric to male-centric novels, from romance to fantasy, from history to horror, the Crown Prince’s collection was impressive. Had it not been urgent, Song Jin would have loved to browse the shelves and take a book.

The Crown Prince, unsurprised by Song Jin’s arrival, dismissed the steward, leaving them alone.

His eyes filled with gentle warmth, the Crown Prince said, “These books are yours to read whenever you move here. I have no secrets from you. My collection is your collection. There’s no rush.”

Song Jin felt like she had been struck by lightning.

Ignoring his words, she asked, “Three years ago, when you found the culprit and trapped her in her house, were her family members also present?”

The Crown Prince, momentarily lost in thought, nodded, “Yes, they were. Why?”

Ignoring his gentle gaze, Song Jin pressed on, “Are her family members still around?”

“After the incident, they moved away.”

“Can you find out where they went?”

“Yes.”

The Crown Prince stepped out of the study, clapped his hands three times, and a man in black appeared. After a few whispered instructions, the man in black left.

The Crown Prince closed the study door and returned. “I’ve sent someone to investigate. We should have news before nightfall. What’s going on?”

Song Jin explained her and Zhao Jide’s suspicions.

The Crown Prince’s expression grew serious. “Your suspicion is valid. If her parents were involved in the case, they could have been the ones who killed her.”

Recalling the mournful cries of her parents at her death, the Crown Prince shook his head. “It’s hard to imagine it was her parents.”

Suddenly, his expression turned cold, a chill emanating from him.

Song Jin frowned slightly.

The Crown Prince’s voice was icy, “Not all parents are fit to be parents.”

Song Jin was sure he was talking about his own parents.

His father was the Emperor, who, despite his faults, treated the Crown Prince well. But the Crown Prince referred to “parents,” not just his father. Did his mother wrong him too? No one ever mentioned the Crown Prince’s mother.

What kind of person was she?

The Crown Prince’s dark mood lasted for a while, then he looked at Song Jin with sincere affection.

“In the future, we will be the best parents, never letting our children suffer unnecessarily.”

Song Jin was stunned. What?

The Crown Prince’s deep eyes were filled with emotion. After a long pause, he patted her head. “You’re heading to the magistrate’s office, right? Go ahead, don’t waste time.”

Song Jin stood there, feeling like she had been turned to stone.

The Crown Prince, his teasing expression returning, gently touched her cheek. “What, you can’t bear to leave me?”

Song Jin blurted out, “You know you’re talking to Shen Yue, right?”

The Crown Prince smiled, “I can see through appearances to the essence.”

His smile faded, replaced by seriousness. “No matter whose body you’re in, I only see you.”

Song Jin felt overwhelmed. She couldn’t handle this.

The Crown Prince leaned in close, whispering warmly in her ear, “If this body weren’t Shen Yue’s, I’d kiss you right now to relieve my longing.”